Clasp.



No. e99,|2s. A Patented May 6, L902.

6. B. ADAMS. I

CLASP.

Application filed Nov. 29, L901.) (No Model.)

INVENTOR'.

Q QEGRQE' BADAMQ,

ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE B. ADAMS, OF IRV INGTON, NEW JERSEY.

CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 699,126, dated May 6, 1902.

Applicationfiled November 29, 1901. semi No. 83,973. (No niodel.)

To a whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. ADAMs,a citizen of the United States, residing at Irvin gton, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clasps and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothe rs. skilled in the art to which to it appertains to make and use the same, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, and to letters'of reference m arked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My present invention relates to improver5 ments generally in that class of clasps or or tie holders, cufi-fasteners, collar-retainers, and whichimay be used for various other purposes where the employment of aholdingspring and permits of the operating or clamp.-

ing lever to be pivoted on the outer surface of the main frame or body, which is made with a slotted member or plate and under normal conditions allows of the seating of a guide-rib on one of the members of the spring employed directly within the said slotted part of said main body member or plate,

whereby the adjacent surfaces of the spring member and said slotted body member or plate lie in close contact. Thereby in practice the several parts of the catch can be assembled to occupy a minimum space and a neat and simple construction of catch is provided.

Other objects of this invention vnot at this time more especially mentioned will be evident from the following detailed description of my invention.

With these several objects in view my in vention consists, primarily, in the novel con- .vention, the claspbeing represented as a scarf or tie holder or retainer, said view illustrating a portion of the tie and the shirt-bosom, fasteners which are designed for useas scarf r to both of which the clasp is attached. Fig. 2 is a rear or bottom'view, and Fig. 3 a side view, of the said holding-catch, the mechanbosom being omitted from this view. .Fig.

7 is a similar view of the said' catch, illustrating the various parts of the holding mechanism in their normally inoperative positions; andFig. Sis a cross-section taken on line 8 8 in Fig. at of the drawingslooking in the direction of the arrow y,owith the scarf and shirt-bosom also omitted from this view. Fig. 9 is a side view of a holding-claspof a modified form; and Figs. 10 and 11 are a face or plan View and a side view, respectively, of still another form of clasp embodying the principal features of my present invention. Fig. 12 is a faceview, and Fig. 13 a sideview, of a holding-clasp provided withvmeans whereby the clasp is suitable as a cuff-holder. Figs.

14: and 15 are perspective views, respectively,

of the spring and actuating-lever employed with the catch herein set forth, both the said parts being shown in their detached positions. Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the said above described views to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the said drawings, the reference character 1 indicates the complete holding-catch, which consists, essentially, of a main body or plate 2 and an outer shell or face-plate 3,both of which are preferably made of the shape and configurations shown. The said main body or plate 2 is preferably doubled upon itself in the manner of a U lying on its side, thereby providing a pair of members or plates 4 and 5. The said shell or faceplate 3 is suitably secured upon the outer surface of the said member or plate 4 of said main body 2 in any well-known manner, but preferably by means of a pair of inwardlyturned and bead-like marginal edges 6 and an offset 7, as clearly indicated in Figs. 3 to 8, inclusive, or in the construction represented in Figs. 10 and 11, in which a circular face-plate or shell 8 is employed, by means of an annular head 9. The said face-plate or shell 3 may be formed with a curved portion 10, from which extends a suitably-shaped finger-piece 11, as indicated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7, or with a suitably-formed hook 12, as represented in Fig. 9 of the drawings. In the first instance the clasp is readily adapted for securing the flaps of a scarf or tie in their fixed positions against the shirt-bosom,while in the second instance the device is adapted for use with the waistband of a pair of trousers, over which the said hook 12 can be placed for permitting the clasp to be arranged in its holding position and in engagement with an undergarment worn by a person. The said finger-piece 11, as well as the said supporting-hook 12, may, however, be entirely dispensed with, if desired, and as will be seen from an inspection of said Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings. \Vhen the device is to be used as a cuff-holder, the said shell or face-plate 3 of the clasp is made with an extension or arm 13, having a tubular end portion 14, in which there is a pin 15, which carries the usual form of pivotal holding-clasplG, as clearly indicated in Figs. 12 and 13 of the drawings.

Having thus described the general arrangement and construction as well as some of the uses of the framework of the holding catch or clasp, I will now set forth the general arrangement and construction of the various parts of the clasping or holding mechanism of the device.

By referring to the various figures of the drawings it will be noticed that I have arranged between the inner surfaces of the two members or plates 4 and 5 of the said main body or plate 2 a spring 17, which is also doubled upon itself, as shown, so as to providea pair of members or limbs 18 and 19, which closely hug the inner surfaces of the said members or plates 4 and 5, and thereby help to retain the said spring in its proper and operative position. The lower member or limb 19 of the said spring 17 is made with a suitably-shaped and suitably-disposed opening or perforation 20, into which extends and is seated therein a holding tongue or lug 2 forced from the said lower member or plate 5 of the said main body 2, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 2, 6, and 7 of the drawings, whereby any lateral displacement of the said spring after the parts have been assembled is fully avoided. The said member or limb 19 of the spring is also made with an upwardly-projecting holding prong or prongs The upper member or limb 18 of the said spring 17 is formed with an upwardly-projecting rib 23, which normally extends into a correspondingly-placed opening or slot 24 in the upper member or plate 4 of the said main body 2, as indicated in said Fig. 7. The said member or limb 18 of the said spring 17 is also preferably made with one or more holding prongs or points 25. The said holding points or prongs 25 are usually made so that they willliewithin the marginal edges or surfaces of the previously-mentioned bead-like and inwardly-turned edges (5 and 9 and the said offset 7 to simplify the adjustment and the removal of the clasp to or from the article or garment upon which it is to be clamped in position, and thereby prevents the sharp points or prongs from entering into the material while passing the device into or from the position in which it is to be clamped to the garment or other article. To properly actuate the upper member or limb 18 of the said spring 17 and bring itin its clamping or holding position, as indicated in Figs. 4, 6, 11, and 13, the said shell or face-plate 3 is made with an opening or slot 26, corresponding in its shape and position to the opening or slot 24 in the said member or plate 4 of the body 2, the said face-plate or shell also being struck up to form bearings 27 on opposite sides of the said opening or slot 26. ranged in the said bearings 27 are the pivotal lugs or journals 29 of a suitable looking or operating lever 28. The said lever 28 is made with an upwardly-extending arm 30, its free end being bent to provide a suitable fingerpiece 31 and being made with a clamping arm or portion 32, extending at a right angle, or approximately so, at or near the pivotal lugs or journals 29 of the said lever. YVhen the lever 28 is raised, then the said portion or arm 32 lies directly within the said openings or slots 26 and 24 in the said face-plate 3 and the member 4 of the said main body 2 and directly upon the upwardly-projecting guiding-rib 23 of the said spring 17, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings, thereby permitting the material to be readily inserted between the members or limbs of said spring.

\Vhen using the device as a scarf-holder, the scarf or tie 34 and the bosom 35 of the shirt are inserted between the separated members or limbs 18 and 19 of the said spring 17, the lever 28 having been raised. When the said lever is lowered from the position indicated in said Fig. 7 to the position shown in Fig. 6, then the previously-mentioned clamping arm or portion 32, which may also be pro- Pivotally ar-- vided with a notch or recess 33, preferably when said lever is operated, said clampingmade as shown, is lowered and brought in a gripping position and bears directly upon the said guiding-rib 23 of the upper member or limb 18 of said spring 17, thereby causing the said member or limb 18 to assume theinclined position indicated in said Fig. 6 and positively and effectively clamping or holding the material between the two members or limbs'18 and 19 of the said spring 17 until the lever is again disengaged from its operative engagement with the said member or limb 18, and the latter will at once assume its normally inoperative position to permit-the withdrawal of the material, as will be clearly understood.

From the above description of my invention it will be clearly evident that the arrangement of the outer shell or face-plate 3, which has its marginal edges preferably secured in the manner of a bead over the mar ginal edges of the slotted member or plate 4 of the body 2, gives great strength and rigidity to the several parts of the device, and, furthermore, the arrangement of the said slotted portion of the face-plate holds the operating-lever in its pivotal position without any additional strain of the spring, and thereby permits the several parts of the clasp to be made, so that when said parts are assembled in their operative positions they will lie in very close contact, and a neater, more compact, and more durable catch construction is the result.

I am aware that changes may be made in the various arrangements and combinations of the several parts of the device without departing from the scope of my present invention. Hence I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the parts as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings; nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of the said parts.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is-- 1. In a clasp, a body comprising a pair of doubled-over members or plates, one of the members of said body being made with an opening, a face-plate having an opening and arranged over said member of said body, and a clamping or holding lever pivotally connected with said face-plate, said lever comprising a clamping-arm, said arm normally being seated in the opening of said face-plate, but when said lever is operated, said clamping-arm being arranged across the space between the said members of said body, sub

stantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a clasp, a body comprising a pair of doubled-over members or plates, one of said members of said body being made with an opening, a face-plate having an opening and arranged over said member of said body, a clamping or holding lever pivotally connected with said face-plate, said lever comprising a clamping-arm, said arm normally being seated in the opening of said face-plate, but

arm being arranged across the space between the said members of said'body, and a spring arranged between the said members of said body, said spring comprising a pair of members or limbs against one of which the end of the clamping-arm of said lever is brought in operative engagement when said lever is lowered, substantially. as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a clasp, a body comprising a pair of doubled-over members or plates, one of said members of said body being made with an opening, a face-plate having an opening and arrangedover said member of said body, a clamping or holding lever pivotally connected with said face-plate, said lever comprising a clamping-arm, said arm normally being seated in the opening of said face-plate, but when said lever is operated, said clampingarm being arranged across the space between the said members of said body, and a spring arranged between the said members of said body,said spring comprisingapair of doubledover members or limbs, and arib on the upper member or limb of said spring with which the end of the clamping-arm of said lever is brought in operative engagement when said lever is lowered, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In a clasp, a body comprising a pair of doubled-over members or plates, one of the members of said body being made with an opening, a face-plate having an opening and arranged over said member of said body, and

a clamping or holding lever pivotally connected with said face-plate, said lever comprising a clamping-arm, said arm normally being seated in the opening of said face-plate, but when said lever is operated, said clampingarm being arranged across the space between said members of said body, and the free end of the clamping-arm of said lever having a notch or recess, and a spring arranged between the said members of said body, said spring comprising a pair of doubled-over members or limbs, and a guiding-rib on the upper member or limb of said spring over which the notched or recessed end of the clam ping-arm of said lever is seated, when the said lever is turned down, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a clasp, a substantially U-shaped body having a member thereof provided with an elongated slot, and another member thereof provided with an inwardly-projecting lug,

a face-plate also provided with a slot arranged or recess in its end adapted to be seated over said rib when said lever is closed down, and said clamping-arm of said lever being adapted to be seated in the slotted portions of said body portion and said face-plate, when the lever is raised, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In a clasp, the combination, with a substantially U-shaped body, one of the members thereof having a slot, and a face-plate on said U-shaped body having an inturned marginal edge by means of which said face-plate is secured to said body, of a pivotally-arranged lever, and a substantially U-shaped spring arranged between the members comprising said body, one of the members of said spring being held in a fixed position to one of the members of said body, and the other member of said spring being movable but normally lying back of the inturned marginal edge of the face-plate and in close contact with the under surface of the slotted member of said body, for protecting the free end portion of said spring from contact with the material while being inserted between the members of the spring, and the free end of the movable member of said spring being adapted to be forced below the inturned marginal edge of said face-plate when the lever is manipulated for grasping the inserted material, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. In a clasp, the combination, with a substantially U-shaped body, one of the members thereof having a slot, and a face-plate on said U-shaped body having an inturned marginal edge by means of which said face-plate is secured to said body, of a pivotally-arranged lever, and a substantially U-shaped spring arranged between the members comprising said body, one of the members of said spring being held in a fixed position to one of the members of said body, and the other member of said spring being movable butnormally lying back of the inturned marginal edge of the face-plate and in close contact with the under surface of the slotted member of said body, for protecting the free end portion of said spring from contact with the material while being inserted between the members of the spring, and the free end of the movable member of said spring being adapted to be forced below the inturned marginal edge of said face-plate when the lever is manipulated for grasping the inserted material, and an extension connected with the said connected face-plate and body and extending away from the same for the purpose of a finger-piece or the attachment thereto of other fastening means, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In a clasp, a body comprising a pair of doubled-over members or plates, one of said members of said body being made with an opening, a face-plate having an opening and arranged over said member of said body, and inwardly-turned clamping edges on said faceplate for securing said face-plate to said member of said body, a clamping or holding lever pivotally connected with said face-plate, said lever comprising a clamping-arm, said arm in its raised position being seated in the opening in said face-plate, but when said lever is operated to bring said clamping-arm in its gripping position, said clamping-arm being arranged across the space between the said members of said body, and a spring arranged between the said members of said body, said spring comprising a pair of members or limbs against one of which the end of the clampingarm of said lever is brought in operative en gagement when said lever is lowered, snt stantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. A clasp consisting of a suitable frame, a spring located between the members of said frame, one of the members of said frame having an elongated slot, a guide-rib on said spring, a lever fitted to said frame having a recessed clamping-arm movably arranged in said slot and the recessed part of said clamping-arm being adapted to fit over the said rib on said spring to prevent lateral movement of the spring, and a face-plate secured to said frame, said face-plate having a slot and bearings on opposite sides of said slot, and pivotal logs on said lever arranged in said bearings, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of November, 1901.

GEORGE E. ADAMS.

Witnesses:

FREDK. C. FRAENTZEL, GEO. D. RICHARDS. 

